126 Louisianans have tested positive for COVID-19 despite being fully vaccinated, good for only .02 percent of all Louisianans who are fully vaccinated. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says for those few people who got it, they didn’t get it bad…

Cut 9, 10 seconds, facilities

Full vaccination is two weeks after you complete your vaccine series.

The Legislative Auditor says 98 thousand indelible people received more than 405 million dollars in unemployment benefits in Louisiana from March of 2020 to the end of the year. Auditor Chris Magee says filings rose more than two-hundred thousand percent from pre-pandemic levels which led to errors…

Cut 4 (11) “…improper payments.” 

 A Baton Rouge Representative files legislation to ease the state’s backlog of transportation infrastructure. Brooke Thorington explains how the bill will finance the projects

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”   AM

A Legislative Auditor’s report finds that approximately 98-thousand individuals received $405 million in unemployment benefits and it appears they were not eligible in Louisiana from the end of March until the end of 2020.  Auditor Chris Magee says they found the error by using the program Wage Data.

Cut 3 (12)  “…benefits.”  

The Louisiana Workforce Commission says filings rose more than two-hundred thousand percent from pre-pandemic levels which led to a backlog of paperwork and oversite.

56-percent of parents of school-age children think their child learned less over the past year according to the 2021 Louisiana Survey. LSU Public Policy Research Lab Director Mike Henderson…

Cut 7 (08)  “…as much.”

The 2021 legislative session begins next week there’s a bill that seeks to raise the state’s gasoline tax by ten cents and then increase the fuel tax by two cents every other year. Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Freiberg the tax can pay for a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles, a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge, and widening I-20 in Monroe…

Cut 14 (10) “…infrastructure.”

But there’s not much support for raising the gasoline tax.

Legislation has been filed that would allow anyone 21 and older to carry a concealed handgun on their person without needing a permit. West Monroe Senator Jay Morris says the bill is like the one filed in the House by Oil City Representative Danny McCormick, the big difference being McCormick’s bill sets the age limit at 18 instead of 21.

Cut 11 (09) “…passed.”

56- percent of parents of school-age children think their child learned less over the past year and despite that 77-percent do not blame the school system, that’s according to the 2021 Louisiana Survey. LSU Public Policy Research Lab Director Mike Henderson says responses in Louisiana mirror national data.

Cut 9 (09) “…for that.”

Some lawmakers are looking at the three-point-two billion dollars the state is receiving from the federal American Rescue Act to pay for better roads. But Governor Edwards says replenishing the state’s empty unemployment trust fund is his top priority…

Cut 4 (07)“…fund.”

Edwards says if we don’t replenish the fund by September the automatic employer tax increases will hamper our economic recovery
There will be a bill heard in the upcoming legislative session that seeks to increase the state’s gasoline tax to improve roads and bridges. Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Freiberg is proposing an increase the state’s gasoline tax by ten cents and then it would increase by two cents every other year until 2033. Freiberg says electric and hybrid vehicle owners would also pay annual fees…

Cut 15 (06)“…the cost.”

The bill is expected to face stiff opposition.

And a bill has been filed that would allow anyone 21 and older to carry a concealed handgun on their person without needing a permit. West Monroe Senator Jay Morris says passing this legislation would make Louisiana the 19^th state to adopt a “Constitutional Carry” law.

Cut 10 (09) “…dangerous.”

Opponents say a concealed carry permit requires classes that teaches vital safety lessons.

One state lawmaker, Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland has decided against sponsoring a bill to increase the state’s gasoline tax to help improve the state’s transportation system. But Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Freiberg has filed legislation to increase the state’s fuel tax over a ten-year period.
Cut 13 (09) “…added.”
Freiberg says by raising the state’s gasoline tax, Louisiana can improve existing roads and bridges while also pay for major projects like new bridges in Lake Charles and Baton Rouge.

Some state lawmakers are looking at federal funding from Congress to help pay for these transportation projects. Governor Edwards says federal stimulus dollars that the state has already received can not be used on infrastructure projects…
cut 6 (09) “….broadband”

A West Monroe Senator files legislation calling for Louisiana to become the nation’s 19th “Constitutional Carry” state. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The Associated Press reports that 47-year-old Kelly Sills of Baton Rouge has pleaded not guilty to a trespassing charge after he reportedly refused to get his temperature checked at Disney Springs in Disney World. An Orange County Sheriff’s deputy escorted Sills from Disney Springs after he refused to leave. He’s heard saying on surveillance video that he paid 15-thousand dollars for his Disney World vacation.

Most parents in Louisiana believe their child didn’t learn as much as they usually do this past year, but they are not holding schools responsible.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The state health department reports 126 people have tested positive for the coronavirus despite being fully vaccinated. The state health department says breakthrough cases are extremely rare and the three vaccines available remain 100-percent effective at preventing serious illness and deaths.

The 2021 legislative session begins next week and a bill has been filed that seeks to raise the state’s gasoline tax by ten cents and then increase the fuel tax by two cents every other year. Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Freiberg says raising the gasoline tax can pay for a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles, a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge, and widening I-20 in Monroe…
cut 14 (10) “….infrastructure…
But there’s not much support for raising the gasoline tax.

The state is receiving three-point-two billion dollars from the American Rescue Act which was recently approved by Congress. Governor Edwards wants to use some of that money to replenish the state’s unemployment trust fund. Edwards says if the fund is still empty in September, businesses that pay into the fund will have to pay higher taxes…
cut 5 (08) “…year ago”

More than half of the parents of school-age children think their child learned less over the past year according to the 2021 Louisiana Survey. LSU Public Policy Research Lab Director Mike Henderson says 56-percent believe their child’s education was hindered by the pandemic.
Cut 7 (08) “…as much.”

Two bills have been filed for the upcoming legislative session that would remove the requirement of a concealed handgun permit in order to carry a concealed handgun. Opponents of the legislation say a concealed carry permit requires gun owners to learn gun safety, but West Monroe Senator Jay Morris says forcing people to pay a fee to exercise their second amendment right is a liberty issue…
cut 12 (12) “…constitution”

Despite strong opposition, a Baton Rouge lawmaker has filed a bill to increase the state’s gasoline tax to help pay for a backlog of transportation projects…
cut 3 (32) “….I’m Brooke Thorington”

Some lawmakers are looking at the three-point-two billion dollars the state is receiving from the federal American Rescue Act as a way to pay for better roads. But Governor Edwards says replenishing the state’s empty unemployment trust fund is his top priority…
cut 4 (07) “…that fund”

LSU’s 2021 Louisiana Survey found that 56-percent of parents of school-age children think their child learned less over the past year than they would have if not for the pandemic. But LSU Public Policy Research Lab director, Doctor Michael Henderson, says 77-percent of the respondents are not blaming the school system…
cut 8 (07) “…data”
21-percent of parents are dissatisfied with the instruction their child’s school provided.

There will be a bill heard in the upcoming legislative session that seeks to increase the state’s gasoline tax in an effort to improve the state’s roads and bridges. Baton Rouge Barbara Freiberg is proposing to increase the state’s gasoline tax by ten cents and then it would increase by two pennies every other year until 2033. Freiberg says electric and hybrid vehicle owners would also pay annual fees…
cut 15 (06) “…the cost”
The bill is expected to face stiff opposition when the legislative session begins next week.

A West Monroe Senator files legislation calling for Louisiana to become the nation’s 19th “Constitutional Carry” state. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

KSLA-TV is reporting that a woman was fatally shot in Shreveport last night when a fight between two women escalated. According to the report, a boyfriend of one of the women pulled out a gun and killed the victim. No arrests have been made.

Oil City Representative Danny McCormick introduces legislation that will make employers civilly liable if they force an employee to take a vaccine and that employee suffers health impacts. It also holds companies liable if they force you to be vaccinated to use their services, for example, to fly on a plane or buy groceries, and you get sick…

Cut 10 (10) “….with them.” 

A CDC real-world study shows those who get vaccinated are highly unlikely to carry and transmit COVID. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says 4,000 first responders and medical professionals were tracked after receiving two doses of either Pfizer or Moderna, and the results showed a 90 percent reduction in the chances of you getting infected.

Cut 5  (08)  “…things.”

The LSU Vet School receives an 11-million-dollar grant from the National Institutes of Health to establish a new cancer research facility. LSU Professor Rhonda Cardin wrote the grant application and says the Center of Biomedical Research Excellence will produce 3D cancer cells that will mirror the kinds you find inside cancer victims.

Cut 14 (09) “…development.” 

The center will support cancer research projects at both LSU and Southern University.

AccuWeather predicts 16 to 20 named storms and 7 to 10 hurricanes next hurricane season. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this season is shaping up like three other previous seasons… 1996, 2001, and 2012. Referred to as analog years.

Cut 8 (08) “…happens.”

A CDC real-world study of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines shows they reduce the risk of both symptomatic and asymptomatic infection by 90 percent once you complete your series. The key finding confirms that people who’ve been fully vaccinated are highly unlikely to get sick or even spread COVID-19. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter…

Cut 3 (09)  “…Louisiana.”  

The LSU Vet School receives an 11-million-dollar grant from the National Institutes of Health to establish a new cancer research facility. LSU Professor Rhonda Cardin wrote the grant application and says the Center of Biomedical Research Excellence, is a major step forward for the university.

Cut 12 (07)   “…before.” 

The center will support cancer research projects at both LSU and Southern University.

The 2021 hurricane forecast from AccuWeather predicts another above-average season for tropical activity in the Atlantic. Taylor Sharp has more.

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Taylor Sharp.”  

The Senate Select Committee on Women and Children have asked LSU athletic director Scott Woodward, football coach Ed Orgeron, executive deputy AD Verge Ausberry, Senior Associate AD Miriam Segar and some current and former Board of Supervisors members to their Thursday meeting to discuss the previous mishandling of sexual misconduct cases. No word if Coach O will attend.

Louisiana residents living in 337 and 504 area codes will soon have to dial 10 digits when making all phone calls. It is part of the FCC’s transition to enable 988 to be used to reach the Suicide Prevention Lifeline.  For a few months, calls made with seven digits will continue to go through but will have to be placed with 10-digits on Oct. 24^th going forward.

AccuWeather releases predictions for the 2021 hurricane season and we’re in store for another above-average season in the Atlantic. They are calling for 16 to 20 named storms and expect 7 to 10 to become hurricanes. Three to five of those to be major hurricanes. State Climatologist Barry Keim…

Cut 6 (07) “…named storms.”

Keim says the already above-average water temps in the Atlantic are a factor in the higher number of storms predicted for 2021.

Oil City Representative Danny McCormick introduces legislation that will make employers civilly liable if they force an employee to take a vaccine and that employee suffers health impacts.

Cut 9 (09) “…workers comp.”

McCormick’s bill also holds companies liable if they force you to be vaccinated to use their services, for example, to fly on a plane or buy groceries.